An analysis of the cost-effectiveness of the Volunteer Services Department at La Crosse Lutheran Hospital

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to measure the cost effectiveness of the Volunteer Services Department of La Crosse Lutheran Hospital, La Crosse, Wisconsin. The study consisted of the application of four formulae used to measure the department's cost-effectiveness in terms of: 1) Analyzing the cost of volunteer hours to the hospital. 2) Assessing the dollar value of volunteer hours to the hospital, and the return on the hospital's annual investment in the volunteer department budget. 3 ) Assessing the percentage of income accrued through volunteer activity in hospital shops. 4) Establishing the value of three selected volunteer services: a) Volunteer Escort Service, b) Mail & Flower Delivery, c) Volunteer Office Support Staff.